topic Ministry

The UN Campus in Bonn

The BMBF supports five important Bonn-based UN agencies that work in the areas of international cooperation and the establishment of networks. Their main priorities are the areas of education, lifelong learning, energy security and the environment.

United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)

The United Nations University (UNU) was founded by the United Nations General Assembly in 1973.  As an international community of scientists, it acts as the UN's think tank. The UNU sees itself as the bridge between the academic world and the UN system. It is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

The United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) is one of the United Nations University's 13 research and education centres across the world. Its work concentrates on carrying out interdisciplinary research on the causes and prevention of natural disasters and lasting environmental changes that threaten human security as well as on the development and implementation of vulnerability reduction and disaster management concepts. By developing close cooperative partnerships with UNU-EHS, German research organizations can bring their expertise in these areas to bear on international cooperation and capacity development, particularly in developing countries.

The BMBF and the Land of NRW are each providing €2.5 million during the 5-year start-up phase of the institute, which was founded in Bonn in 2003.

United Nations University Vice Rectorate in Europe (UNU-ViE)

The United Nations University (UNU) and the BMBF signed an agreement on the establishment of the UNU Vice Rectorate in Europe (UNU-ViE) in Bonn on 4 June 2007.

This will be the first UNU Vice Rectorate outside of Tokyo. It constitutes an important step in strengthening the UNU's presence in Europe and in its process of decentralization. The Vice Rectorate is expected to develop good relations with agencies and programmes within the UN system, international and regional organizations, governments, companies, universities, research institutions and foundations, particularly those located in Europe.

The University of Bonn and the UNU concluded an association agreement in March 2007. The UNU-ViE will concentrate mainly on issues relating to "Science and Technology to Ensure Human Security". The most important topics are climate change, energy security and environmental degradation. The regional focus is on Europe, Russia, Central Asia and Africa. The University of Bonn's multidimensional cooperation with the Center for Development Research (ZEF) has already resulted in joint projects in Africa and Central Asia. UNU-ViE's activities mainly concentrate on initiating, supporting and coordinating projects for the development of intellectual capacity building and knowledge transfer. To this end, there are plans to set up various scientific exchange programmes between Europe, Africa and Central Asia as well as several UNU research and training centres.

The BMBF is providing a total of €5 million for the institute's 5-year start-up phase.

United Nations University International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (UNU-IHDP)

The International Programme on the Human Dimension of Global Environmental Change is an international, interdisciplinary science programme that joined the UNU as a UNU-ViE project (see above) in Bonn on 1 January 2007. Apart from the UNU, other organizations associated with the programme are the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the International Social Science Council (ISSC).  The aim of the programme is the worldwide coordination of research in the areas of social behaviour and economy in the context of global environmental changes. It is intended as a link between research and politics.

UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training

The UNEVOC Centre for Vocational Education and Training is UNESCO's coordination centre for a worldwide network of vocational education and training institutions in 157 countries. Since mid 2006, it has been located in the 'Langer Eugen' building.

When the centre was founded in 2000, the Federal Government concluded a headquarters agreement and committed itself to providing start-up funding.  The BMBF is contributing approximately €205,000 per year and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is providing up to €500,000 per year in the form of project funds.

UN Water Decade Programme Office (UNW-DPC)

The United Nations decided to locate its UN Water Decade Programme Office in Bonn. This office is responsible for networking the capacity building activities of the more than twenty UN agencies that work in the field of water and to develop proposals for joint measures as part of the United Nations Water Decade (which will end in 2015). It is mainly financed by the BMZ and the BMBF. It will also cooperate closely with the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). The office is located in the United Nations University's Institute for Environment and Human Security.

Other UN Institutions in Bonn